Rear number LED light. What is license plate illumination and is it legal? Do-it-yourself tuning LED license plate lighting

According to the requirements of the traffic rules, high-quality illumination of the number plate must be provided in the vehicle at night - cars that do not have it can be stopped by a traffic police inspector. The rules say that only the rear license plate needs to be illuminated - it is not necessary to illuminate the front license plate.

Let's take a closer look at how the backlight of a license plate on a car should look like. Awareness will allow you to avoid fines for rear number plate illumination and be aware of how you can resolve a misunderstanding with the traffic police if the number plate light is not on.

What the rules say

The traffic rules say that the owner of the car is obliged to take care of the readability of the state license plate. At the same time, illumination of the rear number plate at night is obligatory - it is not needed in front. White or yellow light must be used for lighting - blue number plate illumination is not allowed.

License plate illumination should be sufficient to ensure its clearest visibility at night.

The readability of license plates is explained as an opportunity for the traffic police inspector to examine them from a distance of 20 meters. It is believed that a broken light bulb or incorrect lighting does not give such an opportunity. The reason for the penalty for "illegibility" can be one of the following factors:

• number plate light does not light up;
• blue illumination of the number;
• the use of means to impair the readability of the license plate.

If the number plate light is not on in your car and the traffic police stopped you, you can refer to the fact that you left with a lit license plate, but there was a breakdown on the way.

In the event that the backlight of the number does not work, a fine is issued if the police manage to prove that you knew about it when leaving the garage.

If you managed to convince the inspector that the breakdown occurred on the way, the penalty for not lighting the back number is not charged. In this case, you will be given a warning and require that you fix the problem within 24 hours.

The color of the license plate illumination is either white or pale yellow

Means and methods for deteriorating the readability of license plates

In addition to the lack of lighting, a number of other methods are known that can worsen or even eliminate the readability of the state sign. These include:

• reflective paints and varnishes - some of them may interfere with the normal reading of data from the plate by a surveillance camera;
• folding state signs - when the vehicle speed exceeds 50 km / h, the plate simply collapses from the oncoming air flow. Such violation entails administrative liability and a fine;
• magnetic frame - it is controlled from the car. When you press the button, the license plate is closed with a curtain and it is impossible to read it. It is not difficult for a traffic police officer to prove the fact of deliberate concealment of numbers and hold the driver accountable;
• infrared lighting - it is generally accepted that at night video surveillance cameras cannot read data in the light of infrared rays, but modern equipment still makes it possible;
• nets and transparent overlays - all this can also impair the visual perception of the state sign, so the use of such funds is the reason for the traffic police to stop;
• additional stickers and badges - it is forbidden to put any extraneous information on the license plate, there should be only what is provided for in the rules. The presence of extraneous symbols and pictures is a reason for bringing to administrative responsibility;
• Dirty license plates are one of the most common ways to make them difficult to read. The rules provide for a warning to the driver and a fine if it is possible to prove the presence of intent.

At night, the traffic police inspector has the right to assess the visibility of only the back number

Penalties for violation of the rules on license plates

The law speaks of liability for non-compliance with the rules regarding registration plates:

• driving a car with license plates that are unidentifiable, non-standard or placed without complying with the requirements of the state standard entails a fine of five rubles or a warning;
• the absence of state signs on the car, placement in places not provided for by the rules and the presence of means that make it difficult to identify them, entails a fine in the amount of 5 thousand rubles or deprivation of the right to drive a car for a period of one to three months;

Installing deliberately false state signs involves the following fines:

1. 2500 rubles for individuals;
2. from 15,000 to 20,000 rubles for officials;
3. from 400,000 to 500,000 rubles for legal entities.

According to the current legislation, the license plates of all vehicles, tractors, special equipment and other machines must be readable even at night - for this purpose, rear license plate lights are installed on the equipment, which are described in detail in this article.

What is a license plate light?

Lantern (fire) for lighting the rear license plate (FONZ) is a device designed to illuminate the entire area of ​​​​the installation site of the rear license plate on vehicles, tractors, motor vehicles and machines for various purposes.

FONZ is a special external lighting device that provides normal visibility and reading of the rear registration plate of the vehicle at night at a distance of at least 20 meters. The characteristics, location and regulations for the use of this lamp are standardized (both in Russia and in foreign countries), therefore, in the event of a breakdown or incorrect operation, it must be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. To make the right choice of a flashlight, you should understand the existing types of these devices and their features.

Types and design of license plate lights

The design of a collapsible license plate light with hidden installation

Lanterns are divided into several types according to their design, type of light source and electrical characteristics.

Today, there are a number of design versions of FONS:

• Single (individual) - a separate lamp in its housing, mounted above, below or on the sides of the license plate;
• Combined - a device that combines the rear position light and FONS;
• Combined - a device that combines several rear lights with FONZ (rear direction indicators, rear fog lamp, etc.);
• Grouped - a device that combines all the rear lights, including FONS, in one housing.

In turn, single FOZN are of two main types:

• Collapsible - with a replaceable light source;
• Non-separable - the light source is placed in a non-separable housing.

Also, single lights differ in the way of installation:

• Open mounting - the device has a designed case, which is located on the body of the vehicle;
• Concealed mounting - the lamp is placed in a compact housing, which is mounted in a niche of the body, under a decorative element or in another place.

In the first case, the license plate light is one of the elements of the external design of the car, such a design can be seen on old UAZs, many domestic trucks, trailers and semi-trailers. In the second case, the body of the lamp is hidden, only its diffuser can be seen above, below or on the sides of the license plate - lamps on the bulk of modern vehicles have this design.

As a light source in all lanterns, both standard incandescent lamps with various types of socles and LEDs can be used. In one device, one or two lamps, or a number of LEDs can be located.

Structurally, all considered devices are fundamentally the same. If we are talking about individual lamps, then they are based on a plastic or metal case, inside of which there is a lamp (or lamps), and on the outer surface there is a transparent plastic diffuser. In this case, the reflector in these devices, as a rule, is absent. Typically, the lamp has an elongated shape, which ensures the best distribution of the light flux when installed above or below the license plate.

FONS in combined, combined or grouped lighting devices have a similar design, but their body is usually integrated with the body of the main device.

The vehicle can use one or more FONS. If there are two or more lamps, they are installed symmetrically with respect to the number, which provides its best illumination. It is allowed to install lanterns above, below and on the sides of the room.

Characteristics and features of the use of license plate lights

Characteristics, features and procedure for the use of the FONZ, as well as other external lighting and signaling devices of the vehicle, are regulated by domestic and international standards. These devices of all mechanical vehicles operated in Russia must meet the requirements of GOST R 41.48-2004 (common for all lighting and signaling devices), partially GOST 8769-75 (common for lighting devices of cars, tractors, trolleybuses and trailers / semi-trailers), GOST R 50577-93 (regulates license plates) and, most importantly, GOST R 41.4-99 (UNECE Regulation N 4, applies to cars and other equipment) and GOST R 41.50-99 (applies to motor vehicles), which establish requirements specifically for devices for lighting the rear license plates.

In accordance with the standards, fixtures for illuminating the rear license plate installation site must meet the following requirements:

• Installation is mandatory;
• The color of fire is only white (colorless);
• The strength of the light is such that the number is visible at a distance of up to 20 meters;
• The number of lanterns - any;
• Turning on the lights - it is mandatory to turn on this light at the same time as the front and rear position lights (as well as side marker and contour lights, if any).

FONZ should be installed both on cars and trucks, and on tractors, special equipment, trailers, semi-trailers and other equipment. Modern legislation establishes the presence of these devices on motorcycles, motor sleds and other motor vehicles.

We specifically point out that, according to paragraph 3.6 of the "List of malfunctions and conditions under which the operation of the vehicle is prohibited," the absence of a FOSS, or the presence of lighting fixtures of this type with any color other than white, are the reason for the prohibition of operation of the vehicle and the imposition of a fine. So if the lantern breaks down, it must be replaced or repaired as soon as possible.

How to choose and replace a license plate light

In the event of a lamp failure, as already mentioned above, it should be repaired or replaced as an assembly, and after that this device must fully meet the standards. Therefore, it is necessary to use a lamp or lamp of the same type that was previously installed on the car as a replacement. Confidence that the new device provides the required performance, gives its marking - it must contain the letter "L" (this is the designation of devices for rear license plate lighting) and the certification mark "E" with one or another number. This marking is applied to the diffuser or the reverse side of the lamp.

Work on replacing the lamp or the entire lamp must be carried out in accordance with the instructions for the repair and maintenance of the vehicle. If the lantern is collapsible, then the whole procedure, as a rule, comes down to the following:

1. Unscrew the screws that secure the lamp or its diffuser;
2. Dismantle the diffuser;
3. Replace the lamp(s) or other damaged parts of the device;
4. Assemble the lamp in reverse order.

If the lantern is non-separable, then the procedure is simplified - just remove the device from its niche (usually it is held on by latches, although fastening with screws is also possible), remove the wire from the electrical connector and install a new lantern in the reverse order.

Afterwards, the rear license plate lights are maintenance-free and, if properly selected and replaced, ensure the normal operation of the vehicle.

The requirement of the state traffic inspectorate provides for the mandatory illumination of the rear number plate of the car. Doubts may arise whether such a backlight is really needed, because road safety does not depend on it? The answer is categorical - it is necessary. Such a measure is necessary so that the vehicle number plate is clearly visible even at night.

The license plate lamp is an external light, and driving with defective lights is a violation and subject to a fine. A partial failure is also a violation.

Justification and amount of the fine

It is worth noting that a fine for the lack of illumination of the rear number plate can only be applied at night, when the number becomes unreadable. The sign must be easy to read at a distance of 20 meters, and if one bulb burns out, but the rest sufficiently illuminate the number, then a fine cannot be imposed.

This violation may entail, at best, a warning from the inspector, or a fine of 500 rubles. Most often, the violator receives only a verbal warning, because it is very difficult to prove the fact that the driver knew about the malfunction before starting to move. Proving the opposite is also difficult, so it's not worth the risk once again.

Types of backlight

Current cars are equipped with rear number plate lighting already at the production stage, but many are not satisfied with the quality of the lighting. In Soviet-made cars, this function is not provided at all. Or maybe there is a simple desire to update the look of your car? Then it is worth familiarizing yourself with the types of illumination in more detail.

Standard lighting is incandescent lamps installed in the ceiling. The modern solution is diodes, LED strips. There is another backlight option - complete with a rear view camera.

How is a license plate light different from LED lighting?

1. The brightness of lighting, for diode lamps, this figure is much higher.
2. Service life, on average, incandescent lamps last 2-3 times less.
3. Color. For diodes, it is possible to set the backlight of any color.

More and more motorists prefer diode devices (as in the photo below). Replacing the license plate light with such a device is very simple, just unscrew the cover and replace one with another.

DIY installation

How to replace rear license plate light? Easily! And you don't even have to go to the service. Step by step we will analyze all the necessary manipulations.

1. Prepare materials (frame for a car number plate with backlight or separately backlight elements, heat shrink, scissors, silicone sealant, lighter).
2. Release all wires from old parts, remove the old frame.
3. All visible joints with lighting elements and seams on the frame must be sealed to prevent possible contact with water. If this is not done, then the backlight will last a maximum of 4-5 months, the contacts will rust, you will have to change the entire frame.
4. Twist the wires previously released from the insulator on the frame and on the trunk of the car. To prevent a short circuit, insulate them with heat shrink.
5. Screw the frame to the existing place on the back of the car.
6. Put the number in place.

This procedure will take some time. In the event that you plan to install lighting fixtures on your own, then it will take a little time to mount the diodes on the frame.

The illuminated license plate frame can be made like speaker lighting, from the inside. This will require a frame, a piece of plexiglass according to the size of the frame 3 mm thick, LEDs from 8 pcs., Foil. It will take a little more time, but the result will be more interesting.

1. Diodes grind down to the size of the glass.
2. Close the back and end of the glass with foil.
3. Connect light elements with glass, direct to corners, fill with sealant.
4. Bring the wires out of the frame, connect to the car.
5. Screw the number, which in turn will hold the glass and diodes.

Carefully seal all connections and wires with silicone so that you do not have to disassemble the structure every 2-3 months.

You will find detailed instructions for installing the backlight on your own in this video:

Illuminated license plate frame

Someone prefers to make a backlit frame on their own, while someone prefers mass manufacturers. And if the choice remains outside the ready-made framework, then you need to identify several criteria for choosing products:

• durability - accidents on the roads happen often. The frame must be strong so as not to break in a small accident, and also withstand temperature changes from summer to winter;
• size accuracy - in most cases, all frames are of a standard size, but it’s still worth making sure;
• brightness and serviceability of the backlight - it is better to check the performance of all lighting elements upon purchase.

Modern frames are able to fit not only a license plate, but also additional inscriptions, where the manufacturer, at the request of the buyer, will indicate any information.

Color backlight

You can also highlight your car, make it brighter and more original at night by using colored diodes or tape to illuminate the back number of the car.

There are a lot of different colors, and such devices do not have difficulties in installation. There is only one drawback - the installation of such devices does not comply with GOST, which means it is an offense. GOST 8769-75 speaks of the need to install one or more rear license plate lights, which should emit white or white-yellow color.

Why such requirements for a small car part? The use of additional backlight colors can distract the attention of other drivers and thus provoke an accident. The desire to stand out can cost a fine of 100 rubles or a warning in accordance with the Code of Administrative Offenses 12.5 part 1. Do not forget that the car in the first place is a vehicle.

Outcome

Things to learn and remember after reading all of the above:

1. The state number of the car must be illuminated from behind.
2. Lack of illumination entails a verbal warning from a traffic police officer or a fine of 500 rubles.
3. Independent replacement or installation of lighting elements for license plate lighting is easy and in a short time.
4. The use of any other colors than white or white-yellow is prohibited and may result in a fine of 100 rubles.

Do not neglect the installation of this lighting element. Yes, after installation, the car number will be clearly visible, and in case of violation, the inspector will easily read and write it down. But even in the event of a car theft, the availability of the number will only benefit, and may affect the speed of the search.

Be attentive to the external lighting devices of your car and good luck on the road.

You should not take risks and spoil the mood and nerves for yourself and the guardians of the road rules. In order not to get into an unpleasant situation, it is necessary to carefully study the requirements of the traffic rules for backlighting the number and follow them in practice.

This article is intended for persons over 18 years of age.

Are you over 18 already?

Every car owner knows that number plate lighting is very important at night. Such an element is not only important in the overall appearance of the car, but is also a strict requirement of the traffic police. It consists not only in the illumination of the license plate for good visibility, but also in its technical characteristics, which must comply with the norms of the adopted laws. Deviation from the norm can easily become the basis for a fine. Despite such harsh conditions, motorists manage to stylishly arrange the lighting moment in the backlight.

Penalty conditions

A certain car model has its own list of external lighting devices. Therefore, the penalties for malfunctioning or illegibility of the sign are different. In accordance with clause 3, part 3 of the general list of malfunctions, driving with a switched off or faulty light device is punishable by a fine. Even if the lighting works, but is splashed with mud and does not perform its functions qualitatively, this violation is also punishable by a fine.

brand-detail-img-title">According to the regulations, the license plate illumination is also an external lighting element

According to the norms, the registration plate illumination is also an external lighting element, and its malfunction or any defect necessarily provides for punishment.

There is an important point in the operation of a road vehicle using lighting. If the rear number plate does not light up at all, and the car owner drove out in such a car, this can be regarded as an obstacle to the work of a traffic inspector. However, the convention applies only to night time. If this happened during the day, then fines and punishments for this offense are not provided. For daylight hours, the cleanliness of the license plate is important.

There are cases when, for some reason or due to external factors, even one bulb in the lighting device does not work, and this makes it impossible to read at least part of the number, this is also punishable by a monetary penalty. The amount of such a fine in 2017 is 500 rubles.

But there are several "saving" moments, in which case the fine is not charged:

• If one bulb in the device does not work, but the second is located so that it allows you to read the license plate, then there is no penalty for backlighting the back number. In this case, you can get by with a warning from the inspector. But it is for a non-working state that they can still be fined.
• If the lack of sufficient illumination is detected by the driver at the time of the stop by the inspector, then in this case a verbal warning will also be issued. But it is necessary to provide proof that the driver was not aware of the breakdown.
• If the technical design of the car does not have a backlight or a place for it, and the driver has a corresponding note in those tickets, then this also exempts him from paying a fine.

brand-detail-img-title"> The amount of such a fine in 2017 is 500 rubles

If it is daytime, then there are no instructions in the current regulations on the penalty for non-burning backlighting of the number. It is only said that both numbers - front and rear - should be clearly read. At night, a mandatory norm is a serviceable light on the rear canvas. There is also a rule stipulated by the traffic rules, about the unreadability of even one character in the license plate, regardless of the time of day from 20 meters. This fact is also a violation, and for it you can get a fine.

For any motorist, fines and warnings recorded in the protocol are morally unpleasant, they can ruin the reputation of an exemplary driver, but they also affect the motorist's wallet. To avoid this, you should carefully inspect your vehicle before you leave it, and promptly eliminate breakdowns. In this case, you can avoid "ugly" marks in the rights, including a fine for the lack of illumination of the back number. It's such a small thing that it's easy to keep track of yourself.

Rules for using color in highlights

As noted above, the lighting of state registration numbers is an external lighting device, the use of color in it is limited.

The norms of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, which determine the color used in the front lighting, are quite strict. The introduction of a non-standard color scheme in the lighting of the front number plate of a car is punishable by deprivation of rights for a period of 6 to 12 months. Numbers are also confiscated along with lighting fixtures. It is forbidden to install the illumination of the front license plate using red, blue, green, other colors of lamps and reflective elements that are not provided for by the rules.

brand-detail-img-title">White plate highlighting allowed

To date, the fashion for neon and LED lighting in the form of frames and overlays is very common, but you need to use them carefully. If the color is white or light yellow, this is allowed. It is not recommended to put lighting frames or ribbons with diodes along the edges of the room. It will look brighter and more attractive, but you can “get it” and a fine for such a backlight of the number from the road patrol service for a tidy sum.

Based on the basic provisions and requirements for operation and the admission of a particular vehicle for operation, equipping the rear number of the car with red lights is a malicious violation. This is regarded as the lack of required room lighting. For such "art" a private person may suffer in the amount of 3 thousand rubles. Individuals who are in official work lose 15-20 thousand, but legal entities can receive a penalty in the amount of 400-500 thousand rubles and the seizure of lighting devices. Is the brightness and attractiveness worth that kind of money? It’s better to let the backlight of the number not burn, and a fine of 500 rubles will not hit your pocket so hard.

It is forbidden to use inappropriate colors in number plate rear lights, except:

• yellow;
• white;
• orange.

The same rule applies to reflective devices for better visibility.

brand-detail-img-title">Number highlight

Choosing the right backlight

To protect yourself and be sure that such a trifle as the absence or breakdown of light on the license plate will not lead to trouble, you need to install high-quality lighting elements.

Experienced experts advise changing factory backlights to more modern and high-quality ones. Powerful LED lamps that will meet all requirements are available in a large assortment. They will not flood the letters and numbers on the canvas with bright light and will not blind your eyes. Pay attention to light bulbs with lenses. These elements give a good, bright and diffused light, which allows you to clearly see the room. Let their cost be higher, but the economy and safety will pay for themselves over time.

Additional elements that will be auxiliary in the illumination around the rear number plate may be cheaper. To do this, you can use individual LEDs of certain colors. An ordinary LED strip can also serve as a source for creating lighting. Installing such devices is not difficult, but with their help you can reduce the likelihood of receiving a fine.

brand-detail-img-title">LED lamp LED 12V T10 3SMD 2835 White

If the new lighting is installed correctly, tested for performance and resistance to external factors, the result will be bright and worthy of attention. But the main thing is that it does not interfere with viewing the license plate with all the designations.

When using an additional light source in the room area, you need to remember that there is still a risk during self-assembly, because you can make a mistake in choosing the color and correct setting. And such consequences can lead to the close attention of inspectors who ensure road safety.

Is it worth repeating that “show off” in the form of neon lights in blue, pink, green and other colors entails a fine, seizure of devices and deprivation of the right to drive for a certain period?

Illumination of the state number is a very important detail of the appearance of the car. Each vehicle owner needs to take care of the readability of the state license plate at night. But not everything is so simple, backlighting a car number that does not comply with the requirements of the law can be the reason for a stop by a traffic police inspector and a fine. From this article you will learn about all the details of installing car lighting.

License plate lighting requirements

According to the requirements of the SDA, in the car at night, a lamp for backlighting the number of the rear license plates must be provided. It is not necessary to highlight the front numbers. Only white or yellow light is suitable for lighting, blue illumination of the number plate is prohibited.

The glow of the rear license plate lights should be moderately bright. All lamps must work properly and burn constantly at night, because if the backlight of the license plate does not work, at least one lamp has burned out and part of the state number is not visible - this is a gross violation of traffic rules, which can serve as a basis for imposing fines on the owner of the car sanctions.

The illumination of the rear license plate lights should be moderately bright

If the device of the car is not predisposed to the installation of lighting, this can help to avoid punishment, this fact is prescribed in the technical documentation.

The front number plates of your vehicle must not be equipped with red number plate lights, as well as other lighting equipment, the color of which does not match the requirements of the traffic rules.

Grounds for punishment

Under the readability of the registration number, they mean the ability of a traffic police officer to see and easily understand what is indicated on them from a distance of 20 meters. Lack of backlight, improper lighting, a light bulb that does not work or burned out, do not provide such an opportunity.

If the number plate backlight does not work, you need to find the cause of the breakdown, after which the number plate light bulb is replaced.

Factors that can cause a fine:

• backlight, the color of which does not meet the requirements of traffic rules;
• number plate light does not light up;
• non-working light bulb.

The reason for the fine may be the backlight, the color of which does not meet the requirements of traffic rules

When the fact of a violation is revealed by the traffic police inspector, in such a situation, even if the owner of the car fixes the problem, he will have to pay a fine, which is specified in the Code of Administrative Violations.

If you were stopped on the basis of non-compliance with the above rules for the first time, you can use one “rescue” nuance - to say that everything was working properly before leaving, and the inspector himself informed you about the problem. You will be given a verbal warning and given a day to replace the faulty LEDs.

License plate illumination penalties

• the absence of state signs, the illumination of the back number on the vehicle, the non-burning illumination of the number or the presence of factors that impede their readability and identification will provoke the deprivation of a driver's license for a period of 1 to 3 months or a fine of 5 thousand rubles;
• driving a car with non-standard, poorly readable or not placed according to the requirements of the state standard license plates will result in a warning or a fine of 500 rubles;
• if the backlight works properly, but the car is so dirty that the lighting is almost invisible - this is also a defect and punishable by financial compensation.

Penalties for installing deliberately false license plates:

1. For individuals about 2500 rubles.
2. For officials - 15,000-20,000 rubles.
3. For legal entities, approximately 400,000-500,000 rubles.

In case of any of the above problems, it is better to quickly eliminate them in daylight. This can be easily done at any car service or on your own, it will cost many times cheaper than paying a fine. It is better to prevent a malfunction immediately than to waste time and money for such a small oversight.